The Sun. — London, England, 1818-12-09 00:00:00

LITERARY REVIEW. A SUCCINCT ACCOUNT of the CONTAGIOUS FEVER ..f THIS couyntv, as exemplified in the Epidemic now prevailing in London, with the appropriate Method of Treatment as practised in the House of Recovery. To which are added, OBSERVATIONS on the NATURE and PROPERTIES of CONTAGION, tending to correct the Popular Notions on this Subject, and pointing out the Means of Prevention. By Thomas BArnsrM, M.D. F.L.S. i'hysician to the Public Dispensary, and Consulting Physi cian to the Fever Institution in London, &c. &c. This, is a work which is, on every account, cal ciliated to excite attention. The topic is, indeed, at all times extremely important, but is at this 1-notuctit rendered peculiarly interesting by. the alarming epidemic which still exists in the me tropolis, and many of our large provincial towns; and no person can be better qualified than Dr. BATEMAN to make a report of it ; because he has held. for fourteen years the office of sole medical. snperintendant of the House of Recovery for the Reception of Fever Patients. Besides the mo tives of a more obvious nature which might na turally be Supposed to influence Dr. 8., in wish ing to leave an authentic history of a disease with which he has had so many opportunities of be coming thoroughly acquainted, be observes, " that it appears to him to be worthy of record, as it exhibits very distinctly a specimen of the common form, and of the common varieties, which the infectious fever has assumed in this country for many years past ; and which is likely to ,continue, under our improved and improving system of domestic economy, to be the ordinary fever of our island."—The theory implied in this sentence, that the infectious levees which have at various successive periods invaded the inhabi- tants of this country have been really identical, and that the differences observed in their symy -toms and their degrees of virulence have depended on the changes in our habits and manners, and on the means of prevention or cure which have been adopted, is afterwards more lolly main tained and developed. Pr. Bateman begins by noticing the connexion bet Ween scarcity of food and epidemic fever ; which appears to be so uniform, th3t we are justi fied in regarding the former as the cause of the latter. That fever is not generated by the mere accumulation of the putrid effluvia from decom posed animal matter, appears to be proved by the most decisive evidence though, at the same time, this is probably to be regarded as a powerful cir cumstance in multiplying and fostering it when once produced. And he observes, " The morbid and even natural effluvia of the living body,when allowed to accumulate by want of cleanliness and air, are unquestionably common sources of fever. "—Whence the disease, once generated, is extensively propagated by the accessary cir cumstances, want of personal and domestic clean liness, and crowded habitations without propel. ventilation. It would appear that the most constant and characteristic symptoms in bimple typhus, are a general prostration of strength, attended with pains in the head, and still more in the limbs and back. Under all its modifications, Dr. B. ob serves, the skin remains dry ; and " no distinct humidity" is perceptible at the decline of the dis ease in a large majority of the cases ; in 19 only out of 678, did any thing appear like a critical dialphoresis, that is, where the symptoms imme diately subsided on the occurrence of the per spiration. Witl► respect to the heat of tl►e hotly in typhus, we are informed, that it was seldom found to he increased beyond the ordinary stan dard of health, except in the febricula of chil dren, a part which would appear to be much at variance with the statements of Dr. Currie, who regarded the increase of temperature almost as the essence of the febrile action and the reduc tion of this morbid temperature as the grand in dication of cure, which is to supersede almost every other remedy. Dr. Bateman expressly in forms us, that in a very great majority of the cases which have been under his care, the heat has seldom exceeded 99 or 100 degrees. The typhus fever, in this simple form, with which nearly two-thirds of the patients under Dr. B.'s care, during the present epidemic, have been affected, is not regarded as a dangerous disease ; because ? by simple treatment and re moval of the extraneous circumstances, which are unfavourable to the re-establishment of health, the powers of the constitution appear to be ge nerally sufficient to effect a cure; but the result is very different in the complicated typhus. This second variety of the disease, which fell under Dr. Batemates inspection, " approximates very closely to the s(ow nervous fever, so accurately depicted by Dr. Iluxham ; a fever which mani festly differs from the putrid pestilential fever de scribed by the same able author, only in the less violence of its symptoms, and i:s more protract ed course." - It is s:ated that,'during the first 10 days of the complaint, the symptoms were not materially different, in the cases which afterwards became of the kind that is placed in' this Second Class, from those of the First. At this period an increase of are general diminution of the vital 'powers was very perceptible ; and of all those which have usually been regarded as indications of a deranged condition ot the nervous functions; hot it wouldappearthat the putrid or malignant symptoms, as they ha't'e been commonly styled, scarcely ever occurred ii► the I-loose of Recovery. Among 678 patients, two only had extensive ecchymnies, or livid blotches•; but even here the state was rather indicative of a' failure in the power.; of the circulating system, alai-, of any change ni the nature of the constituents of the body, or any tendency to their decomposition or putrefaction. This section concludes with some curious documents respecting the average morta 7 lity of the typhus fever, which has been (beyond all doubt) greatly diminished in this country within the 14st century ; but it is not easy to form any correct estimate on this point. The Section on the method of ireatutent occu pies nearly one-third of the volume, and cannot be studied with too much' attention. Notwith standing the great reform that has taken place since the _errors of the Immoralists, and the still more fatal practices of tl►e Brunonians, Dr. Bate- LONDON JOURNALS. [FRONI THE MORNING PAPERS OF THIS DAY.] [Morning Herald.] THE KING'S JEWELS.—We are authorised to state, that the only Jewels of his Majesty which are now missing are his Star and Garter. The former was very splendid, being studded all over with diamonds ; and the buckle of the Garter was also richly studded in the same manner. Their value is estimated at between six and seven thou sand pounds. A close search has been made for these jewels, and though it has not yet been at tended with the desired result, yet no apprehen sion is entertained of their having been irrecover ably lost. It is generally believed among the Offi cers of his Majesty's Household, that they have been deposited in some place of secret safety by the King himself. • man remarks, that tee have not vet overcome all our terrors of debility, and we still have recourse to our stimulants, although in less formidable doses. These, however, except in a very few in stances, anti in the later stages, are to be entirely discarded ; we are to commence with an emetic of ipecacuanha ; then to administer a purgative; and afterwards, if the occasion requires, proceed to blood-letting, and employ cold drinks and ex ternal cold through every period of the disease. — Dr. Bateman has not, however; found the use of the cold effusions, as recommended by Currie, to answer the expectations that were raised in its favour; it is often difficult to put in practice; it did not apparently abridge the disease ; and it would appear that colti washing with a sponge is generally a more effectual remedy. Dr. B.'s re marks on blood-letting are so peculiarly candid and judicious, that they deserve the utmost ctens tion of all those who are anxious to acquire the most correct judgment on this very imporzant and much controverted question-=" No appearance of languor or debility," as it is very forcibly and cor rectly stated, " should induce a disposition to swerve from a steady pursuit of the anti-phlogistic plan, in diet, regimen, and medicine." Through the whole progress.of the disease, except in same cases towards its termination, Dr. Bateman en joins that, whatever may be the appearance of de-, bility, ," the administration of camphor, ethereal fluids, aromatic confection, and every description of cordial or tonic, and more especially bark, should be religiously avoided." The opposite treatment has, beyond all doubt, produced those very symptoms of malignancy which the bark and wine were supposed to be necessary to correct.— All those appearances which depend on a morbid condition of the nervous system, and which have usually been attributed to debility, are with much more propriety referred to the effect of congestion, and consequent irritation of the brain or its ap pendages. Many important points are discussed in the section on contagion, which we regret that our limits will not permit us to specify farther titan by a general reference. The most material of these points respects the distance to . which the contagion of typhus is capable of being conveyed by the atmosphere ; a distance which Dr. Bate own conceives is much less than we commonly suspect, never perhaps extending more than re few feet from the source where it is generated or ac cumulated, provided that free access to fresh air is admitted. lu proof of this very important practi cal position, facts are cited from the works of Russel, De Moirtens, and others, respecting the plague, as melt as front Lind and ,llaygarth re specting feyers generally ; and from the very curious experiments of O'Rvan, of Lyons, on the contagion of small-pox. From these and other facts of a similar tendency, Dr. Bateman draws the conclusion, " that infection cannot he caught in the open air, even by a close approximation to the most tainted sources of it, the uncleansed person and contaminated apparel of the sick : in short, that, to be rendered communicable, it must be condensed and accumulated in a confined and unchanged atmosphere ; or in the apparel or bedding, which has been long in contact with the patient'." The practical inferences, therefore, ate clear; namely, that apprehensions of danger, from passing through the streets of an infected district, or near hospitals, are altogether unfounded ; that even in an apartment, contagion may be entirely prevented from spreading by perfect ventilation and cleanliness, which should therefore be exclu sively relied upon ; carefully avoiding the use of camphor, tobacco, vinegar; and all strong smelling substances, which have no influence in destroying contagion, and which lead to a dangerous suppo sition of seentity, by concealing the taint which ought to be removed by ventilation. [New Times.] Little or no business %vat alone yesterday on the Stock Exchange. The temporary depression (if it deserve the name), which we noticed in our last publication, was removed and the Funds left off a shade better, and looking well—they closed at 80. 'lt is understood that the Bank of Eng land will issue a new Note of much more difficult imitation than the present, early in the next year. Due notice of such an event will of course appear in the Gazelle. This report, which we give merely as such, but which is pretty generally credited, seems io have calmed in a great n►easure tl►e alarm felt i►v the Hetait Traders in general at the encou ragement given to forgery by the late acquittals. PROVINCIAL JOURNALS. The intended PetitHns to Parliament, the ob ject of which is the virtual repeal of the Corn Bill, have led to the following remarks in The Doncaster, 4c. &c. Gazette, of the 4th inst.:— " We do not mean to enter into questions which apply only to the Corn Bill as it at present exists : those have been set at rest by a legislative enact ment ; but admitting that that measure was fit and necessary for the protection of the landed in terest, we hold that any thing which goes beyond it is unfit and unnecessary, and consequently un just towards other classes of the community, and', impolitic considered as a measure applicable to the ‘vhole Nation. Now the new project is this, to impose protecting duties amounting to 20s. per quarter when the price of wheat in Great Britain Atilt be 7th. per quarter, and. to 10s. per (patter when the average shall reach 80s. per quarter ; it is obvious, therefore, that the altered measure would make the importation price 90s. per quarter, Or 10s. beyond the average at which foreign grain may now be introduced, according to the provi sions of the Corn Bill. We cannot, therefore, consent to suph an amendment of the established law until it can be shewn, not only that farmers cannot obtain a livelihood at the present prices of corn, but that landlords cannot reduce their rents lower (lima the sum they at present obtain. There is a notion very prevalent in the manufacturing districts, that the great evil originates in the high rents required by the proprietors of the soil, and that if they were re duced, one-third for instance, the cultivator could afford to sell his produce in competition with the growth of other countries. This is at least partly a mistaken view of the subject, for the farmer has not only to pay a high rent but high wages, and high prices for the articles of manufacture he is obliged to consume; in other countries, where corn is considerably cheaper, we must not forget that the cheapness is in a great measure owing to the low rate at which labour is paid, and the low price at which articles of unavoidable consumption are obtained. Upon the whole, therefore, we are in favour of a calm dispassion ate consideration of the subject, in the only tri bunal before which it can properly he brought— the assembly of Representatives of the interests of all ranks and professions ; and we are conse quently adverse to stopping the progress of the petition by idle denunciations, because by means of signatures the question will he most properly introduced to the notice of the Legislature. On this account we feel some satisfaction in assuring our readers, that the petitions are still circulated in various agricultural districts, and that many names of the highest consideration have already been attached to them." From the LONDON GAZETTE of Dec. 8. Lord CliamberZairs'.. Office, Dec. 8. Orders for the Court's change of mourning, on Sunday, the 3d of January next, for her late Majesty, of blessed me- mory, viz.:— The Ladies to wear black silk, fringed or plain linen or muslin, white gloves, black and white shoes, fans and tippets, white necklaces and ear-rings, no diamonds. Undress—White or gray lustrings, tabbies, or damasks. The Gentlemen to wear black, full trimmed, plain or fringed liners, black swords and buckles. Undress--Gray frocks. The Court to change the mourning further on Sunday, the 24th of January next, viz.:— The Ladies to wear black silk or velvet, coloured ribands, fans and tippets. The Gentlemen to continue in black, to wear coloured swords and buckles. And on Sunday, the 14th of February next, the Court to go out of mourning. Whitehall, Dec. 7. His Royal Highness the Prince Regent bas been pleased, in the name and on the behalf of his Majesty, to direct letters patent to be passed under the Great Seal of the United King dom of Great Britain and Ireland, for granting the dignity of a Baronet of the said United Kingdom to the following Gentlemen respectively, and to the heirs male of their bodies lawfully begotten, viz.— . _ Sir E'dwa - id Hamilton, of Trebinshun-house, in the county of Brecon, Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Mi litary Order of the Bath, and Captain in the Royal Nary. Russ Mahon, of Castlegar, in the county of Galway, Esq. Hugh Innes, of Lochalsh, in the county of Ross, and,of coxton, in the county of Moray, Esq. Lord Chamberlain's Office, Dec. 7, The Lofd Chamberlain of -his Majesty's Household has ap dointed Josias Du Pre Percher, of Winslade-house, near Exe ter, in the county of Devon, Esq. to be one of the Gentle men of his Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Chamber in Ordinary. BANKRUPTCY SUPERSEDE!). R. Billiard, West Markham, Nottingham Shire, farmer. BANKRUPTS. W. Groves and J. Dukes, Bath, grocers, to surrender Dec. 17, IS, Jan. 19, at the Full Moon Inn, Bath. Attorney, Mr. Highmoor, Scott's-yard. J. Kirkman, City-road, brewer, Dec. 19, 26, Jan. 19, at Attornies, Messrs, Rowland and Young; Lin . . . coin's-inn-fields. D. Jackson, Castle-court, Birchin-lane, merchant, Dec. 15, 22, Jan. 19, at Guildhall. Attorney, Mr. Farrell, Thread needle-street. W. Holman, Totness, Devonshire, ironmonger, Dec. 17, 18, Jan. 19, at the Oxford Arms Inn, Tutness. Attorney, Mr. Alexander, Carey-street, Lincoln's-inn. J. and J. Jones, Leominster, Herefordshire, linen-drapers, Dec. 12, 19, Jan. 19, at Guildhall. Attorney, Mr. Aled- doweroft, Gray's-ipn. S. Burrows, Alilrs's-lane, Cannon-street, wine-merch4nt, Dee. 15, 213, Jan. 19, at Guildhall. Atturnies, Miissrs. Pritchard and Bird, Exchange-buildings. It. Godfrey, Kent-road, merchant, Dec. 12, 15, Jan. 19, at Attorney, Mr. %Vright, Fent:hurt:if-street. G. North, Sheffield, butcher, Dec. '22, 23, Jau. ID, at the Hotel, Sheffield. Atturaies, Messrs. Tilson and Preston, Colman-street. J. Moore, Manchester, flour-dealer, Dec. 21, 22, Jan. 19, at the Dog :ravel n, Manchester. Attu' Alessrc. ton and Gregory, Bedford-row. %V. Chainberluyne and G. Rawhnson, Leicester, hosiers, Dec. 14, 15, Jan. 19, at the Saracen's Head Inn, Leicester. At torney, Mr. Jeyes, Chancrry-lane. DIVIDENDS. Dec.3o, W. Cools, Earith, Huntingdonshire, - victualler— Dec. 29, W. Bisl►op, Yealand-Conyers, anti J. J. Bishop, Leighton-hall, Lancashire, merchants—Dec. 29, T. Law, Lancaster, merchant—Dec. SI, J. Watson, Tothniain, West tuorland, 'dealer—Dec. 30, W. Mac Michael, Bristol, mer chant—Dec. 31, R. Wright, Rosgill•hall, Westmorland, dealer—Jan. 12, A. newly, Gower-street, Bedford-square, builder—Dec. 3U, S. White, Liverpool, upholsterer—Dec. 19, C. Bishop. High-street, borough, linen draper,—Dec. 29, J. Rowlatt, Charter-house-square, merchant—Dec. 29, J. Mary-le-bone-street, pawnbroker—Dee. 29, W. Spence and T. Junes, jun. Bishop Wearmouth, Durham, coal-titters —Dec. 29, J. Wilks, Bath, linen-draper—Jan. 2,J. Hudson, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, linen-draper—Jau. 2, W. Lowe, 111itecle shield, Cheshire, druggist—Dec. 29, W. Wool sey, Great Mary-le-bone-street, haberdasher. CERTIFICATES-Mx. W. W. Rhodes, East Smithfield, baker—W. Aforton, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, porter-nierchant—J. Donald, Abbot-lodge, Westmorland, cattle-dealer--K. Ilaw'sins, Bath, coach master—W. Davidson, Little St. Thomas Apostle, IVholesalt stationer. PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED. J. Lyon, Wigan, Lancashire, and J. Lyon, Manchetta:, cotton-tnerchants—R. and I. Dixon, Harrow-on-the-Hill, farmers—T. S. Cooper, anti J. and J. Eason], Stockton, mercers—J. Nicholson and J. Nicolson, Botchergate, Cum berland, iron-founders—T. L. lurch, Canterbury, and W. W. Gell, Margate, linen-drapers--J. and R. Ilorstall, Leeds, wool-dealers—►'l'. and. W. Hopkins, Upyiughitul ; drapers. THEATRICAL REGIST .11: 11. Performed Last Nig - ht. .., Tn. ROYAL, DRURY- LAN E.--(5i11 time), Lit . 13 1 . 1 AI:5: A0 f Ti I C I F I 2 1 , .7 I; ni u s Mr. Kean ; Tarquinia, Mrs. W. Wro t • 4- e which, The '1 urniiikc Gate. - Miir TII FATH • . r. ROYAL, CocENT-GaRDEN.—The Clandestine 'ma, viage : Lord Ogleby, Mr. W. Farrell; Miss Sterling.; C. Keuible. "After which, The Barber of Seville. TO CORRESPONDENTS. "-Ir ve" STACK/MUSE (Letter IV.) '!'u-rnorrow.—Also . Q. on r BOREAN REPu Lic.-131s Lion's Los shall very soon aPPea. PRICE 01 THIS DAY AT T c ETV . ? C 0 15 ( . 71. C K Bank I. Ann..... 20 3-16tItsi India 80nd5......b45. 86s. Exch. Bills, 2d... 19s. Os. t r ; Consols. for Account, 7alP ick-Brolicr, Old State Lottery' and Lowliard-street. Bank Stock 27oi 3 per Cent. Red 7B -44i 31 per Cent. ~..88* 4 per Cents 9' M'7 E. EYTON, St. Office, .2, ( MAILS. DUE-I Waterford, 1 Sweden► ARRIVED , — I Waterford. Harnburgh, 1 Lisbon. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE TO -MORItOW; Itlorning, 10 minutes alter 12. I g , Evening, 35 mmutes after THE SUN. SOLIO4 QUIS DICERE FALSUNI AUDKAT LONDON, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1818' • We received this morning the Paris Pallets of Sunday last. The following ate extracts " PARIS, Dec. G.—Lord Castlereagh, ae e°°37 puled by Sir Charles Stuart, the English Anib al ' sador, had yesterday the honour of being P fr sented to his Majesty. " The Duke of Wellington and Lord Ct 's tk. reagh dined' on Friday with Prince Castelcicsl4 the Neapolitan Ambassador. Gen t w " The suit for calumny, instituted by Cannel against MM. Senneville and F 4blle-1 came on again yesterday before the Tribal"( Correctional Police. Atter heating the Adloe ste : and MM. Senneville and F a b v i e r, ,tote hearing was postponed for a 'week, wh en 0' Dupin, the Advoc a te for G enera l Cantle' , is to reply. " The Council of State are said to:be oecur-co in the section of legislation, with several P il l of law respecting the Penal Code. " Lord Castlereagh, on being presented l er , terday, bad a long conversation with the gib; His Lordship afterwards paid his respects t° tli Princes and Princesses of the Royal FamilY. cdt " The Duke de Richelieu visited $ 0451 yesterday. " It appears to be now certain that t he h J° d'Angouletue will return to Paris on =be gl instant. " Mr. Ritchie, late Secretary to the svB fa Embassy at Paris, has embarked at Maorili el ibe Africa, with the intention of penetrating ill'oo interior of that Continent. He takes 1° list M. Dupont, a young Frenchman, who is I' ll ": e tf with the art of preparing and preserving obJe- of Natural History. 1 The Deputies are to assemPle on V eg(4 " 1 , next at the Palace of the Chamber, to sPe Tb in drs , deputation to meet and escort the King on day, the day of the Royal Sitting. die " It is said, that by order of the Por te ' t Patriarch of Constantinople has written t° he Metropolitan of Aleppo to treat with re s P ect Greek Catholics, who are under the proteciioll.6l, the Austrian Consul. The French and, S P a l sl e Consuls have made representations upon the S a d subject. FIVE PER CENTS. Skiturilay 69f. ......c., DEFERRED STOCK Of the 22d Marcb, 1817, 81 f. 6 5 ' 22(1 Sept. TBl7, - 9 1 . 65 C. 542 d March, 1818, 77 f. 65c. 2.2 d. Sept. 1818, eflie if" CALAIS, Dec. 3.---:The Duke (1'1;1)0°1 expected here on the 7th in3tant. tarri ed " Several English soldiers, who had 01 o d,„ Frenchwomen, have returned after their (lisbil 'Dent to reside in France. stg l f " HAMBURGII, Nov. 27.—General Gotirg to h s e immediately after his arrival here, w ent t ot 'house of the Prefect of Police, M. de Bartels • s solicited permission to reside in this Cit.. 7„ 10 . co jet request was agreed to, but on the expr ess j et tion that he should wholly conform his c°ll to the existing laws. ne r O f STUTTGARD, Nov. 30.-r—The Ecor° Russia arrived here at ten o'clock the nighto fore last. His Imperial Majesty was re cci ; o pi the palace by the King and Queen a nd the Family. v , v erer° " In consequence of the Irish of the ;n0 all the ceremonies ordered for his r ece P t been countermanded. re / e s ' h " The Grand Duke Michael arrived —e terday morning. 0 Au strls " VIENNA, Nov. 24.—TheEmper°r I P s ( 11 DeP is expected here the 3d December• -. )e V "• 1 1 I will ture of his Impetial Majesty for 1114 o ee" II P r place in the month of February. He vil 0, 0 03" direct to Naples, and from thence t o j iv We" . where the Emperor will pass theil°-0 il prob Cons ort " 14 _ Tart; It neY, "d illy Tile 1 of Dep 11Ac Eril i a r;OtOr with „ L A FA.v f eared i d estiny (loctri, signs. Poisibl, bee n Il gain. lie i 3 „ consitt "le inii kr,,,ps Ohe o f 1 Qf the tith es ° "glit 4°( :jety Able rciediutr Itt ich g heret ot -cus4i tit an t t qing ' i rive 1, te, -"°Yel 43 at a S IR 4 4hi ri a trust tb si his - tu fitlib le, m OR , 1 (1 1 eserv e wh u I1 1)111 e( ut disi (s.ulll da te '1 resit r I Y w a , etriat, t icea 4Ie Y klye ts, •a ine(i. DriceB.